We're Off on a Vacation!!!!

This week continued to be another busy one as we attempted to get things done around the house in preparation for our three week vacation. Addison and I are heading to Ottawa for a week visiting friends; where Greg will later join us and continue our vacation to Montreal and then to family cottages at Fairlane Lake. Addison will have her first chance to meet Nan nan (Greg's mom) and Uncle Rick, whom have been following our blog waiting for the opportunity to see our little bundle of joy. We all cannot wait. Living so far away is the most unfortunate part of being away from family, but when we do get together the meetings are good.

We began the week doing our normal routine, while we awaited the arrival of Auntie Ruth and Uncle Greg who were driving us back to Ottawa. This meant play time, eating, sleeping and bathing for Addy, and running around like crazy for mommy. While taking her bath on Thursday before weigh in, Addy had a visitor; Fergus who wanted to join her in the tub. We of course did not let him but he stood by and made sure Addy made it out of the tub unharmed. He is such the protector of her, it really is amazing.

We finished out the week gearing up for the weekend and heading out to Bayfest again, this time to see Country Legend Brad Paisley. Addy got herself all dressed up and ready to go but thankful to our favourite guardian angels, Addy again had a wonderful evening away from mommy and daddy, hanging with Auntie Mo and Uncle Scott. (Whom I may add, gave up an evening out with friends to babysit our little munchkin) In the absence of family we have friends, who really are extensions of our families.

On Saturday Uncle Greg and Auntie Ruth also showed up and we snuck in a few day trips before we took off on the long haul back to Ottawa. Addy worked her charms of course and got Uncle Greg under her spell enough that we could snap this cute picutre of him interacting with her, the man who swore of children. You are one smart little cookie Addy and daddy is going to be in trouble.

So I will sign off for a little bit and catch up with things upon our return. We'll leave you with this clip of Addy showing off her cute little giggles as she is entertained by Auntie Ruth. Talk to everyone soon and hope we all get to enjoy some nice summer weather.

Addison's First Sleepover with Mim and Aunt Rose

Well this past weekend took alot out of little girl and she used the next couple of days to catch up on some rest and relaxation, I guess we ran her a little ragged. Addy went for her annual physiotherapy appointment on Monday and then crashed hard that night in my arms. Tuesday she romped around like crazy in her jumparoo but crashed hard after a good 45 minute workout. Poor little thing she is so tolerant of our busy lifestyle. I feel like such a bad mommy but I couldn't resist the ever famous shot of her falling asleep in her jumparoo because she was just so darn adorable. I snapped this pic and honestly took her right out for a good little nap in bed! After that she was raring to go again and experienced a bounce around in her exersaucer; after Greg and I figured out we could adjust the height of it so her feet did not hang suspended in the air. (Thanks Steph, new parents).

Thursday was Mim's (Grandma Patty's) birthday and since we could not celebrate with her that day, Addison made her up a special birthday wish to send over the internet. Happy Birthday Mim!!!

Addy was actually very excited as she was anticipating her first big sleepover with Mim this coming weekend, up at the cottage. Mom and Dad had tickets for KISS at Sarnia Bayfest and Mim and Aunt Rose were coming down to watch not only Addy but cousins; Zack and Logan too. Thank goodness for family I really don't know what we would do without them. I of course was feeling super apprehensive for my first night away from my "little munchkin", but I knew she would be in good hands. I promised mom that we would only call a few times and I think I stuck to my word pretty well. Addison of course did wonderful and really did not even seem like she missed us all that much when we went to see her Saturday afternoon. Mom, Aunt Rose and the kids were having fun, so much they convinced Greg and I to go out for dinner and a movie again that night for a "date". Greg and I did and had fun, but it felt very weird driving around without our little one in the back, babbling away to us. Thanks mom and Aunt Rose for your time and giving us a night out as well.

Lately we have been noticing changes in Addison daily. She really is developping her own personality and is just so much fun to watch everyday. She is definitely a very happy little girl and just really makes no fuss. I will probably eat these words at the age of the terrible twos and threes, but right now she is just a dream. Her smile lights up a room and she really has got the cutest little giggle when her dad and grandma make her laugh. She works so hard through her phsyio and occupational therapy and has begun to finally kick up her feet in the air with little stimulus. We notice that she still is tilting her head to the left and continuing to show less use of her muscles along her left side, but we continue to work her daily in hopes to correct some of it. Her head strength is great though and she really has very little "wobbles" to her head and neck at all anymore. She is maintaining her weight well and seems to be dangling between the 14 1/2 to 15 lb mark these days. She definitely likes her food so we just keep doing what we are doing to fatten her up and let her grow. She has found her "little piggies" now, and likes to pull and play with them when she sees them pass by. Can you remember back to when her little feet were the size of Greg's thumb????? It blows my mind to think back to those days.

Along with her giggles, she has discovered she can now make "zerbert"noises as we like to call them and spit lots of drool and bubbles. At this stage it is so darn cute, we just let her go ahead and do it. She has begun to babble to us a bit more everyday, especially lying down as it is a bit easier to get her lungs working. We still notice that it is a bit hard for her to last long on a breath while talking and to get her voice to vocalize loudly, but she is getting better a little bit everyday. Keep strong little one and we will get there, each day is another little hurdle and we will jump it together, holding hands.

Kylies Kause Fundraiser

This past weekend we woke up to this smiling little face and decided to head up to the cottage to get some much needed time together just hangin and relaxin. We packed up the boys, some stuff and Addy and took the long drive (10 minutes) to our little paradise in the dunes called "La Buena Vida". Addy settles right in up there, like she knows it is her second home. Thanks to some wonderful hand me downs from cousin Sidney and friends, we have doubles of things so we dont have to travel very heavy when we head up there. Addy took in some sun, hanging with her toys at the front window, while we enjoyed a nice breakfast watching the birds at the feeder. It really is so relaxing and fun up there, we feel like we our miles away and just shut our minds off. We got together with some of our great neighbours; Sandy and Jack and had a great visit.

Addison is really getting to be such a big girl and trying to become a little bit more independant each day. Lately she has been trying to hold on to her bottle all by herself, which she does well for about 1 sec, but this is 1 sec longer than yesterday. Soon enough kiddo don't rush yourself. It is amazing to see her develop a little bit more each day/week with the new things she does. It is hard to keep stock of it all, but we are trying to document it as well as we can.

On Sunday we hit the road and had a big day attending the Kylies Kause Walk Fundraiser held annually in Wyoming, ON for the St. Joseph's NICU Unit. This fundraiser is put together by parents; Steve and Lisa McGrail in memory of their angel Kylie, and funds go to support the NICU Unit to purchase the much needed Giraffe Isolets that Addison spent her first month and half in! (www.kylieskause.com) We had a wonderful day walking with some old friends and new friends we have met through our NICU travels; Laurel and Matt Lunnen and their 25 weeker Story. Alot of people showed up for the event and the event successfully raised $40,000 this year. What a great success. Before the walk kicked off they invited all preemie unit graduates to attend to the front and they snapped a picture of all us together.

What a great photo and to believe that so many other families have progressed through this same journey is truly amazing. Thanks Lisa and Steve for all your dedication and hard work, it truly is selfless to do what you do. Kylies life and your strength is an inspiration to us all to be better people, and bless you for your support to the NICU that helped begin our little girl's journey into the world.